Nuclear radiation checks will be carried out on vessels leaving the Ports of Keihin by the end of April-the three ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki will issue safety certificates to containers and ships showing standard levels of radiation, according to Exim News Service.
Mr Kinya Ichimura, the Transport Ministry's security and emergency management official, said the ports of Keihin district which account for 40 per cent of Japan's foreign trade containers, will be first to have radiation checks with more to follow if testing of waters proves harmful.
Since the earthquake and tsunami of March 11 in the north eastern part of the country, which destroyed the Fukushima nuclear plant, causing radiation leaks, up to 27 foreign containership voyages were cancelled.Japan's 6,350-TEU MOL Presence became the first vessel to be turned away since the nuclear reactor disaster by the port of Xiamen who claimed it showed high levels of radiation. It was re-tested in Kobe and returned a month later to berth in Hong Kong after passing safety inspections. The 8,160-TEU Carsten Maersk out of Japan was since docked after inspections at Felixstowe and Rotterdam.
The move by the Ministry to draw up official safety certificates after checks is supported by Japanese Shipowners Association. It is hoped these measures will dispel concerns. "We want to see the radiation levels of ships and containers actually measured as soon as possible," said the association.The Ministry is drawing up guidelines but is yet to issue an official start date for radiation checks.
|
